12th April 2011: Conwy Valley (Tues)

This was the first official CER “Tuesday” ride with the weather perfect, cool but sunny all day, and what a rewarding stunning ride it was.  Ivan and I took the train to Colwyn Bay and, after a short warm up along the sea front to Rhos (OK- to a café!), we were warming up the thighs up the hillside and into the quiet Nant Groes valley behind Colwyn Bay. Once on the top road, we rode the smooth-surfaced B5113 for the next near traffic-free 25 miles all the way to Pentrfoelas.  The views of the Snowdonia range were stunning with Tryfan and Snowdon clearly in view and a long view north back to the Conwy valley head at Conwy itself.  Taking the quiet A5 towards Conwy at Pentrefoelas, we spun along in the sunshine on smooth roads until a left at the old bridge at Bro Garmon took us along wooded lanes towards Betws-y-Coed.  

Photographs by Clive Albany

Crossing the B4460, the next lane gave us access to the Conwy Falls (in need of some water) until coming down to the main road to Blaenau Ffestiniog aka A470.  The narrow lane on the bend took us the back way into our lunch stop.  This wooded lane will be stunning in a few weeks time and worth another visit later in the year.  Betws-y-Coed was humming with OAP coaches and a quick loop of the town indicated that all the tourist cafes were unappealing.  Then remembering local advice courtesy of Mike G, we found the Buffet Coach Café that is parked across the main line tracks from the station proper.  What a find!  

Ivan was in his element with a rolling stock café serving steak and kidney pies all in one – he had to call home.  The route back to Conwy was a delight – the B5106 hugs the western side of the valley all the way into Conwy.  By now we were searching for a well-earned pint and the Liverpool Arms at Conwy quay fitted the bill nicely.  Given we had plenty of time, we headed off for Llandudno and a loop of the Great Orme.  Toll-free to cyclists, this private toll road circles the Great Orme in an anti-clockwise direction.  It is uphill all the way to the tip and then a glorious downhill run back in Llandudno.  Wonderful marine panoramas towards Anglesey and the Wirral were in prospect – along with a stiff headwind.  To get back to the station, we just had to cycle the Llandudno seafront and follow the cycleway signs and hence arrived back at CB station with 5 minutes to spare before the train arrived.  We had ridden 62 miles with 3400 ft of ascent but it was truly worth the effort for a memorable ride through beautiful countryside in perfect weather conditions.

See route map and/or gpx file download.

CA